Smoked Applewood Bacon and Gouda Pizza with Caramelized Onions

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A homemade pizza topped with smoked applewood bacon, melted gouda cheese, and sweet caramelized onions on a crisp crust. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 40 minutes pairs ounces pizza dough, smoked applewood bacon slices, ounces gouda cheese shredded for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside. Meanwhile, thinly slice 1 large yellow onion. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add onions with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes until golden and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 6 slices smoked applewood bacon cut into 1-inch pieces. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until crisp, then remove and drain on paper towels.
  3. Step 3: Roll out 14 ounces pizza dough on a floured surface to a 12-inch circle, dusting the baking peel with 1 tablespoon cornmeal. Transfer dough to the preheated stone.
  4. Step 4: Evenly spread caramelized onions and scattered bacon pieces over the dough. Sprinkle 8 ounces shredded gouda cheese and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves on top.
  5. Step 5: Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoked Applewood Bacon and Gouda Pizza with Caramelized Onions take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Smoked Applewood Bacon and Gouda Pizza with Caramelized Onions?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ounces pizza dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Applewood Bacon and Gouda Pizza with Caramelized Onions?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Smoked Applewood Bacon and Gouda Pizza with Caramelized Onions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Smoked Applewood Bacon and Gouda Pizza with Caramelized Onions?

Italian pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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